Video & Transcript : 'Article 779' :
Page 85 of 307
MO
Missouri 2026 Regular Session
2026 Legislative Session - Day Fifty Five - Tuesday, April 21
Missouri House Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- Section 25 of Article 10. Your language, gentlemen, repeals those prohibitions. No, it doesn't.
- It doesn't touch Section 25 of Article 10.
- Section 25 of Article 10, you can read the amendment yourself and see that it doesn't.
- It's Section 25 of Article 10. Is the prohibition on sales taxes of homes?
- these things as related to one another because they're related to taxation, which is, of course, Article
Summary:
The House convened with prayer, the Pledge of Allegiance, approval of the House Journal by roll call vote (117-5), and a long series of special guest introductions, including YouthBuild students, school groups, family members, former legislators, and a Delta Sigma Theta Sorority Day recognition. The chamber then moved to third-reading business and reconsideration motions on House Committee Substitute for House Bills 3283 and 3306. Members explained the bills needed to be sent back to Legislative Review to address possible conflicts with current case law and to tighten the language, especially around arbitration and municipal/court jurisdiction issues. The reconsideration motions and the motion to commit the bills to Legislative Review all passed by roll call votes in the 98-43 range.
The House then took up House Committee Substitute for Senate Bill 982, which would revise Missouri’s sex offender registry system. The sponsor said the bill responds to concerns from an advocacy group and registry administrators, converting Missouri from a hybrid offense-based system to a true tier-based system aligned with federal SORNA standards, clarifying who must register, reducing litigation exposure, and adding related language on civil commitment housing, name changes, and carnival employees. Members asked about whether offenders could eventually petition off the registry; the sponsor said the bill would streamline removal where allowed under the tier system. House Amendment 1, correcting a typo, was adopted, the committee substitute was adopted, and the bill was third read and passed 141-4.
The House also debated House Joint Resolutions 173 and 174, a proposal to amend the constitution to phase out the state income tax and shift more of the tax burden toward sales and use taxes over time. Supporters argued the current income tax hurts the middle class, discourages growth, and places Missouri at a disadvantage compared with no-income-tax states like Tennessee; they said the measure would let voters decide and could improve economic development, population growth, and fairness by making taxes more visible and consumption-based. Opponents argued the plan would raise taxes on most Missourians, especially low- and middle-income families, seniors on fixed incomes, and people who spend more of their income on necessities, and that it would shift costs onto consumers while weakening funding for schools, health care, and other services. The debate was extensive and included questions about constitutional tax limits, revenue neutrality, and comparisons to Tennessee and Washington, but no final vote on the resolutions was shown in the transcript.
MD
Transcript Highlights:
- number two, order the arrest of any person who breaches the peace or any provision in the election law article
- establishing tiered penalties for violations of certain provisions of the alcoholic beverages and cannabis article
- establishing tiered penalties for violations of certain provisions of the alcoholic beverages and cannabis article
- beverages provisions of the alcoholic beverages and<00:28:17.640><c> cannabis</c><00:28:18.080><c> article
- </c> and cannabis article. Move to concur. and cannabis article. Move to concur.
Summary:
The Senate first outlined its plan to clear pending concurrence items, focusing on Senate bills with House amendments and not taking up unamended House bills. Members then approved several motions not to concur with House amendments, including Senate Bills 514, 626, and 866, with the clerk reading the formal Senate messages in each case. The chamber also addressed an excused-vote question, with the presiding officer explaining that excused votes do not count as missed votes.
The Senate then concurred in House amendments and passed a series of Senate bills, including SB 11 on campaign finance reporting and the Fair Campaign Financing Fund, SB 164 on the Pamela J. Kelly Tree Maryland program, SB 266 on local regulation of invasive trees, SB 509 on workforce Pell Grant implementation, SB 553 reestablishing the lithium-ion battery safety commission, SB 581 on statewide technology master plan reporting, SB 670 on polling-place authority, SB 848 on municipal election reporting, and SB 940 on water quality testing. Most of these House amendments were described as technical, clarifying, or conforming changes, and each bill received the required constitutional majority on final passage.
The chamber also took up House Bill 862, a rail safety bill requiring certain freight trains to have crews of at least two under specified interstate conditions. After questions from the minority leader about the bill’s trigger conditions and effect on an Eastern Shore rail line, a senator explained support for the measure and the bill passed with 33 affirmative votes. Additional special-order House bills passed as well, including HB 497 on protective order durations, HB 552 establishing a commission on the House of Reformation and Instruction for Colored Children, and HB 573 on fair housing and discriminatory effect standards.
Later, the Senate continued with more concurrence items from Finance, including SB 22 on Department of Disabilities housing programs, SB 412 on forensic review boards and community forensic aftercare, SB 413 on morticians and funeral directors board operations, SB 496 on Medicaid coverage for obesity treatment, SB 555 on dementia services and brain health resources, and SB 579 on no-cost preventive cancer screening for retired volunteer firefighters. These bills were generally amended in the House with clarifying or conforming changes, and the Senate adopted the amendments and passed the bills by constitutional majority.
NM
New Mexico 2026 Regular Session
House - Chamber Meeting Feb 11th, 2026
New Mexico House Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- Speaker Martinez and members of the House, pursuant to Article 4, Section 5(B)(2) of the New Mexico Constitution
- Speaker Martinez and members of the House, pursuant to Article 4, Section 5(B)(2) of the New Mexico Constitution
- House Bill 371, deemed pursuant to Article 4, Section 5(B)(1) of the New Mexico Constitution, will be
- House Bill 371, Germain pursuant to Article 4, Section 5B1 of the New Mexico Constitution.
- Clarifying the application of rules promulgated pursuant to Chapter 59A, Article 52, NMSA 1978.
Bills:
HB111 , HB103 , HB60 , HB108 , HB120 , HB145 , HB154 , HB164 , HB291 , HJR6 , HR1 , HJM2 , HJM3 , HJM1 , HM7 , HM17 , HM4 , HM22 , HM23 , HM24 , HM26 , HM2 , HM16 , HM32 , HM13 , HM47 , HM11 , HM14 , HM21 , HM34 , HM50 , HB38 , HB47 , HB63 , HB64 , HB127 , HB165 , HB184 , HB200 , HM20 , HM51
Summary:
The House convened with a quorum, offered an invocation, pledges, and a series of recognitions and guest introductions, including a memorial honoring J.B. White, a young Santa Fe basketball player killed by gun violence, and presentations for Disability Rights Awareness Day, Down syndrome advocacy, adult education and literacy, and Western New Mexico University’s 133rd birthday. Members also welcomed students, legislative fellows, and other guests, and several speakers used the announcements period to highlight community work, family milestones, and advocacy efforts.
The chamber then received and referred several executive and Senate messages. Governor-authorized bills included HB 282 on school attendance enforcement and juvenile probation coordination, HB 292 creating the New Mexico Prison Rape Elimination Act, and HB 149 involving charter school facility financing; these were referred to the Judiciary or Appropriations and Finance Committees as applicable. The House also received Senate-passed bills and committee substitutes, which were referred to the appropriate House committees. In committee reports, multiple bills and memorials were adopted, including HB 4, HB 7, HB 65, HB 66, HB 80, HB 88, HB 96, HB 270, HB 280, HB 275, HB 285, HB 20, HB 166, HB 295, HM 46, HM 54, and SJR 1.
On third reading, HB 38 on wheelchair insurance coverage was announced as being remanded back to the House Health and Human Services Committee for a simple amendment before returning to the floor. The main floor debate centered on HB 120, which addresses restraint and seclusion in schools. Sponsors said the bill is intended to improve student safety, clarify when intervention is allowed, require de-escalation and behavior-support training, improve documentation and parent notification, and prevent harmful or punitive practices. An amendment was adopted to replace the term “punishment” with “disciplinary action” and to add reporting to a legislative study committee. The bill then drew extended questioning about definitions, school resource officers, PBIS references, training requirements, data collection, and possible costs and liability, with sponsors emphasizing that the measure clarifies existing practice rather than imposing a specific curriculum or program.
AZ
Arizona 2026 Regular Session
01/21/2026 - Senate Judiciary and Elections
Transcript Highlights:
- According to the article, $1.6 billion was invested in this research, $1.6 billion, only to have it wasted
- I had developed concerns, based on other parents' reports and articles, that UC San Francisco's Child
- I mean, there have been so many research articles that have been retracted when it was discovered that
- They really read the article and see if it makes sense.
- But if the fraud is underlying the article with missing facts, altered facts, they can't discover that
Summary:
The committee first took up SB 1066, which would allow the Attorney General or a county attorney to sue researchers for knowingly or recklessly publishing fraudulent scientific research, and would let injured parties recover damages. The sponsor and a supporting witness argued the bill would create personal accountability for deliberate research fraud and cited examples of retracted or manipulated studies; opponents warned that peer review and existing scientific processes already address bad research and that the bill could chill research and speech. The committee later passed SB 1066 on a 4-3 vote.
The committee then heard SB 1015, which would impose strict personal liability on providers who perform gender transition procedures on minors for later detransition costs and related injuries. Supporters, including the sponsor, a doctor, a detransitioner, and a parent, said the bill would protect children, create accountability, and help families seek redress for irreversible harm. Opponents from the ACLU and others argued the measure discriminates against transgender patients, would likely chill care by making providers uninsurable, and could function as a backdoor ban; the committee nevertheless advanced the bill on a 4-3 vote.
SB 1049, as amended, limited spousal maintenance to four years and adjusted eligibility and guideline factors. The sponsor and a family law attorney said the bill would curb overly long awards and better account for assets and income, while the Judicial Council explained the existing guideline work and noted the new calculator was intended to add uniformity; one senator objected that the cap was arbitrary and ignored case-specific context. The committee adopted the amendment and passed the bill 4-2. The committee also unanimously passed SB 1189, allowing campaign funds to be used for candidate and family security, and SB 1133, eliminating a duplicate financial disclosure filing for candidates who already filed an annual statement.
Finally, the committee heard SB 1081, which would bar a DCS attorney from appearing before a judge after appearing before that judge in any of the attorney’s previous five DCS cases, and advanced it 4-3 after debate over judicial familiarity and rural-court impacts. The committee also heard SCR 1001, a proposed constitutional referral to end early voting the Friday before the election, require proof of citizenship and government ID, and restrict mail ballots to voters who affirmatively request them; supporters framed it as an election-integrity measure, while ADOT testified neutrally but warned that free IDs could cost tens of millions in lost revenue and affect road funding. The transcript ends during testimony on SCR 1001, before any vote on that measure.
FL
Florida 2025 Regular Session
FL House Floor Session - 2025-04-23 (10:00AM Session)
Florida House Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- I know there's an article just recently in my local newspaper highlighting the challenge that families
- I know there's an article just recently in my local newspaper highlighting the challenge that families
- Here's the deal: Article 7, Section 18, not statute, the Florida Constitution requires that any county
- Article 7, Section 18, not statute, the Florida Constitution requires that any county or municipality
- The bill before you today is the Florida version of Article 12 of the Uniform Commercial Code.
Summary:
The Senate opened with prayer, the Pledge of Allegiance, and several introductions and moments of silence, including tributes related to the FSU campus shooting, Coach Amir Abdur-Rahim, John Thrasher, the Florida Wildlife Corridor, and visiting student and community groups. The chamber then moved into special order bills and adopted a resolution honoring Coach Abdur-Rahim. A number of measures were taken up and passed, including child care and early learning provider regulation updates, false reporting/swatting penalties, health care billing and collection protections, hazardous walking conditions for schoolchildren, young adult housing support for foster and homeless students, the Family Empowerment Scholarship Program, trust fund interest rules for IOTA accounts, transportation-related changes, public records exemptions for AHCA investigators, JQC employees, and appellate court clerks, municipal water and sewer utility rates in Miami-Dade, motor vehicle offenses involving obscured plates and impersonating law enforcement, trespass at large-scale ticketed events, refund of patient overpayments, stem cell therapy standards, insulin administration by direct support professionals and relatives, pre-arranged transportation services, and the Uniform Commercial Code update for digital assets.
Several bills were amended before passage, often by substituting House companions and adopting late-filed amendments. The transportation bill was significantly revised to remove speed-limit increases and utility-related provisions while adding beach equipment removal, flood-wake enforcement, expectant mother parking permits, and local regulation of micromobility devices; it passed 37-0. The trust fund interest bill drew the most debate, with supporters arguing it right-sized a volatile funding stream for legal aid and opponents warning it would sharply reduce support for legal aid organizations; it passed 28-10. The municipal water and sewer rate bill also prompted extended debate over fairness, fiscal impact, and accusations of racism, but passed 36-2. Public records exemption bills for AHCA investigators, JQC employees, and appellate clerks passed with varying margins, with supporters emphasizing safety and anti-doxing protections. One bill on cardiac emergencies and another on education were temporarily postponed.
Most measures were adopted by wide margins, often unanimously, after brief sponsor explanations and little or no debate. The Senate also adopted a resolution honoring the late USF coach Amir Abdur-Rahim and recognized several visiting groups in the gallery. After completing the day’s special order calendar, the Senate recessed for lunch until 1:30 p.m. or on call of the President.
TX
Transcript Highlights:
- Article 1273 is the next step in securing Texas' academic research. as Texas continues to lead the nation
- But, you know, there's been talk and articles written on... inside higher education that General Ed is
- I wrote an article or did a book on something D.A. Loomis did.
- And then someone decided at the regent's level. to kick her out because of articles that she had written
- I don't have to tell you, I'm sure, about the Texas Tribune March 13th, you know, article which talks
Committees:
Senate Education , Senate Education K-16
NH
Transcript Highlights:
- House Bill 228, relative to petition articles at annual or special town meetings.
- at annual or special town articles at annual or special town meetings.
- from a time petitioned warrant article from a time equal<02:15:24.079><c> to</c><02:15:24.320><c> the
- </c><02:15:31.679><c> to</c><02:15:32.000><c> a</c> introduce their warrant article to a introduce their
- warrant article to a minimum<02:15:33.040><c> of</c><02:15:33.440><c> 10</c><02:15:33.920><c> minutes
US
US Federal 2025-2026 Regular Session
US House Floor Proceedings (Tuesday, May 20, 2025)
US Federal House Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- Now, there was an article in the Wall Street Journal that explained how mergers harm the bank.
- Now,<05:08:14.718><c> there</c><05:08:14.878><c> was</c><05:08:15.040><c> an</c><05:08:15.280><c> article
- </c><05:08:16.080><c> in</c><05:08:16.320><c> the</c><05:08:16.480><c> Wall</c> Now, there was an article
- in the Wall Now, there was an article in the Wall Street<05:08:17.040><c> Journal</c><05:08:17.920><
Keywords:
SJR13, S.J.Res. 13, joint resolution, Congressional Review Act, CRA, OCC, Office of the Comptroller of the Currency, Department of the Treasury, bank merger, bank mergers, Bank Merger Act, business combinations, merger review, financial regulation, banking regulation, bank consolidation, regulatory disapproval, federal banking rule, rule repeal, Public Law 119-19
CA
California 2025-2026 Regular Session
Senate Rules Committee Jun 17th, 2026
Transcript Highlights:
- Einstein, but I just wanted to highlight the article that... Mr.
- Einstein, but I just wanted to highlight the article that came out from UC San Diego.
- There was a study that UC San Diego did in an article that came out on November 12, 2025, in which it
- I haven't read the article yet. You shared it, and I haven't read it completely yet.
Summary:
The Senate Rules Committee approved several governor’s appointments not required to appear, including Dorka Keene to the California Arts Council, Luciana Profaca to the Commission on Disabilities, Sarah Han Shapiro to the Commission on Disability Access, Robin Umberg and Veronica Zoror to the California Veterans Board, and Daniel Curtin to the California Water Commission. Two appointments to the State Park and Recreation Commission, Phil Ginsburg and Francesca Viter, were approved on split votes of 3-2. The committee also unanimously approved a motion to refer bills to committees.
The committee then heard testimony from three appointees to the California Community Colleges Board of Governors: Jesse Melgar, Tom Epstein, and Joseph Williams. They emphasized student success, affordability, workforce alignment, dual enrollment, basic needs support, housing, and adapting to AI. Members questioned them about financial aid and ghost-student fraud, regional career technical education needs, enrollment declines, standardized testing and AB 705, community college baccalaureate degrees, and the new career passport initiative. Public commenters strongly supported the nominees, and the committee voted 5-0 to send all three appointments to the full Senate for confirmation.
Finally, the committee heard from Mark Beckley, nominated as Chief Deputy Director for Operations at the Department of State Hospitals. He described his background in state operations and said his priorities would include recruitment and retention, improving treatment through a new electronic health record system, maintaining aging facilities, and supporting community providers. Senators asked about high vacancy rates at state hospitals, especially Atascadero and Patton, and about coordination with law enforcement oversight on patient deaths and safety trends. The committee voted 5-0 to advance his appointment to the full Senate for confirmation.
WA
Washington 2025-2026 Regular Session
House Local Government Jun 11th, 2026 at 01:30 pm
Local Government
Transcript Highlights:
- Many of you probably saw the Everett Herald article talking about the problems that the Department of
- You've also probably heard from that same article that a permit reviewer or another project was told
- to accept developer submissions, whether they were accurate or not, and that, as the article points..
- And that, as the article pointed out, creates a lot of problems.
Committee:
House Local Government
WA
Washington 2025-2026 Regular Session
House Local Government Jun 11th, 2026
Transcript Highlights:
- Many of you probably saw the Everett Herald article talking about the problems that the Department of
- You've also probably heard from that same article that a permit review or another project was told to
- And that, as the article points... Whether they were accurate or not.
- And that, as the article pointed out, creates a lot of problems.
Summary:
The committee held a work session on local government issues, beginning with an update from the State Building Code Council on four legislatively mandated code amendments now in CR-102 rulemaking: temporary emergency shelters, reduced minimum dwelling unit size, multiplex housing up to three stories and six units, and single-exit apartment buildings up to six stories. Council staff also described a separate embodied-carbon appendix proposal that remains under public review, with testimony both supporting and opposing it. Members asked about the rationale for some of the code limits, including the restriction on connecting multiplex buildings.
The committee then heard a panel on annexations from MRSC, Pierce County, and the Association of Washington Cities. Witnesses reviewed annexation methods, including petition, election, and interlocal agreement approaches, and said larger annexations are increasingly using interlocal agreements because they can address infrastructure, revenue sharing, and public process concerns. They described barriers such as inconsistent local standards, the cost of infrastructure, referendum risk, census requirements, and the difficulty of persuading residents and local officials to support annexation. Members asked about the five-year restriction on residential zoning changes in one annexation method and whether a hearing examiner could reduce political pressure on local decision-makers.
A second panel discussed subdivision reform. The Master Builders Association urged raising the short-plat threshold within urban growth areas to 30 lots as a simpler first step, citing permitting delays and added housing costs. The City of Spokane described implementation problems with recent housing laws, including uncertainty about how to review plats under HB 1110, lot-splitting administration, and added notice requirements for unit lot subdivisions. AWC said there was broad agreement that subdivision decisions should be more administrative, but public hearings remained a point of disagreement. The committee also heard from FutureWise, the Washington State Association of Counties, and Lewis County on county development regulation and enforcement, with witnesses emphasizing underfunded code enforcement, inconsistent standards between counties and cities, and the need for better coordination, incentives, and possibly stronger enforcement tools. No votes were taken; the chair said the committee would continue working on possible solutions in future sessions.
NH
New Hampshire 2026 Regular Session
Committee of Conference on SB 578 (05/27/2026)
Transcript Highlights:
- There's also an article that I handed out about how Medford High School has been using recess to keep
- Uh there's also an article<00:18:07.280><c> that</c><00:18:07.440><c> I</c><00:18:07.600><c> handed</
- c><00:18:07.840><c> out</c><00:18:08.000><c> about</c><00:18:08.160><c> how</c> article that I handed
- out about how article that I handed out about how Medford<00:18:08.799><c> High</c><00:18:08.960><c>
Summary:
The Committee of Conference on Senate Bill 578 met to reconcile differences in a bill concerning recess times for children and related early learning provisions. The Senate sponsor described two compromise amendments, both based on the Senate version, that would restore play-based learning through third grade and replace guided reading with interactive shared reading; the only difference between the two was whether recess would extend through fifth grade or eighth grade. The sponsor argued the changes were supported by studies, existing state investment in play-based learning, and examples from schools using recess to improve attendance and behavior.
House members opposed the amendments, saying they were concerned about creating an expensive or unfunded mandate and about limiting local control over curriculum decisions. One House member said the state lacked enough fiscal support and implementation time for districts, and another said the proposal should perhaps be studied further before expanding it beyond kindergarten. Supporters countered that the state had already invested in training, that the proposal was a teaching method rather than a new curriculum, and that play-based learning and recess improve mental health, classroom behavior, and student engagement.
The committee voted on the 2084S amendment, and it failed on a divided vote. After further discussion, the House reiterated that it would stick with its position and oppose the Senate amendments. The chair then stated that the committee was at an impasse and that the bill was effectively dead, with no further action taken.
MN
Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session
Balancing Fraud Prevention and Protecting Services for the Vulnerable / Modernizing School Funding May 8th, 2026
Minnesota Senate Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- Um, just in the paper from Sunday, there was a front-page article about, uh, they rely on state programs
- paper from Sunday, there was<00:04:45.960><c> a</c><00:04:46.280><c> front-page</c><00:04:46.760><c> article
- </c> was a front-page article was a front-page article about<00:04:48.640><c> uh</c><00:04:48.720><c>
LA
Transcript Highlights:
- appealable to the city courts in the same manner as cases are appealable in the Code of Civil Procedure Articles
- I had a question about Article 3, Section 12 of the Constitution, about increasing the jurisdiction of
- Well, in Article 3, Section 12, and there's a dispute among lawyers as to what it actually means.
- buildings are not funded or operated by the state, and the court is a separate branch of government under Article
Bills:
HR2 , HR37 , HR61 , HCR11 , HCR64 , HB89 , HB183 , HB341 , HB371 , HB451 , HB480 , HB520 , HB541 , HB579 , HB597 , HB816 , HB1004 , HB1064 , HB1165 , SB44
Committee:
House Judiciary
Summary:
The committee met with a quorum and first took up House Bill 1165, which was converted into a substitute bill to reorganize the Avoyelles Parish court system by creating two city courts, one for Marksville and one for Bunkie, and expanding their jurisdiction parishwide, including small claims and certain misdemeanor, civil, and juvenile matters. The sponsor and supporting judges said the change would better use existing courts and improve access to justice, while the district attorney opposed it, arguing it would not help the criminal docket, could create staffing and constitutional issues, and needed more study. After questions about voting districts, appellate procedure, and minority vote dilution, the committee adopted the substitute and reported the bill favorably.
The committee then heard House Bill 1064 creating a domestic violence intervention court pilot program in the 19th Judicial District, with testimony from the Criminal Justice Coordinating Council and the YWCA describing a specialty court model focused on accountability, victim services, and wraparound support. The bill was reported favorably. House Bill 341, clarifying law enforcement officer rights during administrative investigations, was amended to specify administrative matters and reported with amendments. House Concurrent Resolution 64, as amended, expanded a study of behavioral health courts to include additional parishes and a later reporting deadline, and was reported favorably. House Bill 579, the sexual assault survivor bill of rights, was amended to strengthen notice, confidentiality, and funding provisions and then reported favorably.
Later, House Bill 1004, which would have raised the jurisdictional threshold for justice of the peace courts from $5,000 to $7,500, drew significant opposition from city court judges who warned of unintended consequences, including different evidentiary standards, possible attorney-representation issues for entities, and added burdens on district courts. Supporters framed it as an inflation adjustment and access-to-justice measure, but after debate the committee voted 5-11 to defer the bill. House Bill 183, limiting courthouse cell phone bans in fee-payment areas, was amended and then failed on a 7-7 tie with the chair voting no. The committee also reported favorably House Bill 451 on ATC hearing notices, House Bill 541 on micro distillers via substitute, Senate Bill 44 on tactical medical professionals’ firearms, House Resolution 37 honoring veterans who served in Honduras, and House Bill 89 requiring a district attorney office to pay certain retirees’ health premiums from its own funds. Several other bills were voluntarily deferred, and the meeting ended with a motion to adjourn.
AZ
Arizona 2026 Regular Session
03/26/2026 - Senate Judiciary and Elections
Transcript Highlights:
- The sex offender residence restrictions, sensible crime policy, or flawed logic is an article in Federal
- The sex offender residence restrictions, sensible crime policy, or flawed logic is an article in Federal
- Probation, and the results indicate the prevailing factor in sex... ...this article in Federal Probation
- So you have a real case. this article in federal probation, and the results indicate the prevailing factor
Summary:
The Senate Judiciary and Elections Committee heard a full slate of bills, beginning with HB 2749, which would allow certain nonviolent class 4, 5, or 6 felonies to be redesignated as misdemeanors after completion of sentence and a waiting period. The committee adopted a chair’s amendment narrowing eligibility and excluding some offenses, then passed the bill 6-0 with one not voting. Supporters described it as a redemption and reintegration measure for people who have completed their obligations.
The committee then considered HB 2870, a constituent-driven bill restricting level 2 and level 3 sex offenders from living together in the same single-family dwelling unless they are related or in certain supervised facilities. The sponsor and neighborhood witnesses described a Chandler/Ocotillo situation involving multiple offenders in one house and argued the bill would protect families; opponents warned it could push offenders into homelessness and make supervision harder. After debate and testimony from both sides, the bill passed 3-2 with two not voting. HB 2862, which enhances penalties for offenses committed while wearing a mask to conceal identity, also passed 3-2 with two not voting after the Scottsdale city attorney testified in support and the ACLU argued it would chill protected protest and anonymity.
HB 2364, which creates criminal penalties for mailing or delivering abortion-inducing drugs and for ordering them by mail, drew strong support from anti-abortion witnesses and strong opposition from lawmakers who said it conflicts with Proposition 139 and constitutional protections for abortion access. The bill passed 4-3. HB 2244, supported by Phoenix Vice Mayor Keisha Hodge Washington, would require landlords to respond to motions to satisfy eviction judgments and allow sealing of eviction records when tenants have paid; it passed unanimously 7-0. HB 2573, which removes a 45-day waiting period before some DUI offenders can apply for an ignition interlock restricted license, passed 7-0.
The committee also advanced HB 4117, a strike-everything amendment creating penalties for interfering with religious services by obstructing access or engaging in disorderly conduct intended to disrupt worship. The ADL and Jewish community advocates supported it as a protection for worshippers, while the ACLU argued it could criminalize protected protest and speech; it passed 4-3. Finally, HCR 2004, a mirror resolution on photo enforcement systems that would require voter approval for continued operation and periodic reauthorization, passed 4-3 after testimony from the League of Cities and Towns and a discussion of traffic safety versus civil-liberties concerns.
MN
Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session
Motor vehicle registration tax calculation change 3/25/26
Minnesota House Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- And there have been, you know, numerous newspaper articles about it. The world is changing.
- have been, you know, numerous And there have been, you know, numerous newspaper<00:09:43.840><c> articles
- </c><00:09:44.800><c> The</c><00:09:44.920><c> world</c> newspaper articles about it.
- The world newspaper articles about it. The world is<00:09:45.360><c> changing.
MO
Missouri 2026 Regular Session
2026 Legislative Session - Day Twenty Seven - Wednesday, February 25 - Morning Session
Missouri House Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- Currently, in the Missouri State Constitution, Article III, Section 18, the appointment of officers of
- We looked at the constitutional article together. Yes, it's there, but that, again, is unnecessary.
- State Constitution, Article 3, Section 18. Are you there? I am. I got it right here. All right.
- Any person, not a member, who shall be guilty of disrespect to the House, Article 15, Constitution, Missouri
Summary:
The House convened with prayer, the Pledge of Allegiance, and approval of the previous day’s journal by roll call vote, 102-1. Members then used points of personal privilege and special guest introductions to recognize constituents, advocacy groups, students, school officials, physical therapy advocates, domestic violence service providers, and others. One member delivered an emotional statement about the arrest of the suspect in his sister’s 26-year-old murder case, thanking law enforcement and prosecutors involved in the cold-case investigation.
The chamber then took up House Bills 2097 and 1905, a measure to expand an agriculture education pilot program into a statewide option for elementary schools. Supporters from both parties described it as a way to teach children where food comes from, connect agriculture with literacy and math, and encourage interest in farming and related careers. The House adopted the committee substitute and perfected and printed the bills. Members also considered House Bill 2167, which would codify and expand authority for Attorney General investigators and, through amendments, address House and Senate security officers and certain other state officers. Debate centered on whether the bill improperly broadened the original subject and whether it would give too much arrest power or create safety and constitutional concerns. One amendment to the amendment failed on a roll call, 62-68-1, but the House adopted the St. Charles amendment 61-43 and then perfected and printed HB 2167 as amended.
Finally, the House took up House Committee Substitute for House Bills 2747 and 2047, a clean-slate/automatic expungement bill. Supporters said it would give people who have completed their sentences a second chance and improve access to jobs and stability; the sponsor also explained a related change limiting death-penalty sentencing in hung-jury cases so judges would not impose death in that circumstance. The House adopted an amendment requiring expungements to be shared with consumer reporting agencies, then adopted the committee substitute and perfected and printed the bill as amended. The House also announced upcoming events and then recessed until 2 p.m.
MO
Missouri 2026 Regular Session
2026 Legislative Session - Day Twenty Seven - Wednesday, February 25 - Morning Session
Missouri House Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- Currently, in the Missouri State Constitution, Article 3, Section 18, the appointment of officers of
- We looked at the constitutional article together. Yes, it's there, but again, that is unnecessary.
- State Constitution, Article III, Section 18. Are you there? I am. I got it right here. All right.
- Any person, not a member, who shall be guilty of disrespect to the House, Article 15, Constitution, Missouri
Summary:
The House met with prayer and the Pledge of Allegiance, then approved the House Journal by roll call vote, 102-1. Several members then used points of personal privilege and guest introductions to recognize Black History Month, a family member speaking about a long-unsolved murder case that had just led to an arrest, physical therapy advocates, school board members, disability-services advocates, and domestic violence and literacy groups.
The chamber then took up House Committee Substitute for House Bills 2097 and 1905, a bill to expand an elementary agriculture education pilot program statewide beginning in the 2027-28 school year for districts that choose to participate. Supporters said it would help children learn where food comes from, connect to FFA, 4-H, literacy, math, and career awareness, and address declining interest in agriculture. The committee substitute was adopted and the bill was perfected and printed. The House also considered House Bill 2167, which would authorize the Attorney General’s office to commission certain investigators and, through amendments, also addressed House and Senate security officers and some other law-enforcement personnel. Debate centered on whether the bill improperly broadened arrest powers, whether the House security provisions were necessary or constitutional, and whether the amendments were germane; one amendment to the amendment failed 62-68-1, while another amendment passed 61-43. The bill was then perfected and printed as amended.
Finally, the House took up House Committee Substitute for House Bills 2747 and 2047, described as a clean-slate/automatic expungement measure with a reduced fiscal note. An amendment was adopted to ensure expungements are shared with consumer reporting agencies, and members discussed the bill’s second-chance benefits and a provision changing Missouri’s death-penalty sentencing process so a judge would not impose death after a hung jury, leaving life or life without parole as the options. The committee substitute was adopted and perfected and printed as amended. The House then made announcements about upcoming agriculture and Black History events and recessed until 2 p.m.
ID
Transcript Highlights:
- Now, the Idaho Constitution guarantees in two separate sections, and this is current Constitution, Article
- 3, Section 20, separate sections, and this is current Constitution, Article 3, Section 28, a marriage
- The Constitution also in the same article, Section 24, says the first concern of all good government
- Under Article 9, Section 8 of the Constitution, the State Board of Land Commissioners serves as trustee
Committee:
House State Affairs
AL
Alabama 2026 Regular Session
Alabama House Ways and Means General Fund Committee Feb 11th, 2026
Ways and Means General Fund
Transcript Highlights:
- proper authority no later than 60 days after he or she becomes eligible for any payments under this article
- such election shall not affect any such individual's entitlement to benefits under the provisions of Article
- proper authority no later than 60 days after he or she becomes eligible for any payments under this article
- such election shall not affect any such individual's entitlement to benefits under the provisions of Article
Committee:
House Ways and Means General Fund
Keywords:
impoundment, driver licenses, vehicle redemption, local identification cards, law enforcement, HB285, TJ's Law, traffic infraction, traffic ticket, uniform traffic ticket and complaint, minor driver, juvenile driver, parent notification, guardian notification, emergency contact, citing agency, traffic citation, driver safety, youth safety, Alabama traffic law